Indonesian national team striker Ole Romeny. Photo: PSSI
Osaka: Upon arriving in Osaka on Saturday night, the Indonesian National Football Team wasted no time shaking off their long-haul fatigue, diving straight into gym sessions and pool recovery training. The team is in Japan to face the hosts in the decisive final match of Group C in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
A warm welcome awaited the Garuda squad at the airport, where Indonesian fans gathered in numbers to greet Jay Idzes and his teammates with cheers and banners.
Head coach Patrick Kluivert, who has brought a 30-man squad for the trip, confirmed he will not make significant changes to his starting lineup despite the suspension of midfielder Ivar Jenner due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
“I’m sticking with the players I have. Even though Ivar can’t play, we have enough depth in this squad. I don’t plan to call in replacements. I’m happy with this team, and we’ll continue with what we have,” Kluivert told reporters.
To unwind and acclimate, several players, including Maarten Paes, Ernando Ari, Emil Audero, Jay Idzes, and Ramadhan Sananta, took advantage of the pleasant weather by strolling around Osaka, visiting landmarks like Osaka Castle.
In a boost to Indonesia’s prospects, goalkeeper Maarten Paes and midfielder Marselino Ferdinan are eligible to return after serving suspensions in the previous match against China. Their availability is expected to bolster the team’s chances as they take on Japan at Suita City Football Stadium this Tuesday, with hopes of at least securing a point in a tough away fixture.
AloJapan.com